be more substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be more substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for something to have greater importance, significance, or weight in a particular context. Example: "In order to make a stronger argument, we need to be more substantial in our evidence and reasoning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effect would be more substantial, however, in individual states.

The New York Times - Magazine

When the line goes into production, the pieces will be more substantial.

The New York Times

Perhaps by the time you serve coffee, they may prove to be more substantial.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Jenkins's consolation prize turned out to be more substantial than it seemed at the time.

The Guardian

But Ben, to his credit, would like to be more substantial than he is.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The rewards on offer at Centerview are said to be more substantial.

The Times

And they have also rejected subsequent proposals by the board, believing that the cut should be more substantial.

The Guardian

The Conservative offer of "change" needs to be more substantial than an invitation to a beauty contest between party leaders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although men tend to make more Wikipedia updates, women's updates tend to be more substantial, according to the study.

University of California, Berkeley

Junior papers tend to be more substantial in both length and content than papers written during junior seminars.

Princeton University

The material must have connections, and those connections must be more substantial than the first stirrings of a narcissistic mind.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more persuasive tone, ensure your arguments "be more substantial" by incorporating data and evidence from reliable sources.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "be more substantial" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be better" or "be more important" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be more substantial" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It indicates a need for something to possess a greater degree of importance, significance, or tangible quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be more substantial" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express the need for something to have greater importance, significance, or weight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid it in very informal contexts. Remember to ensure your arguments "be more substantial" by bolstering them with solid evidence, and you can always use alternatives such as "be more significant" or "be more impactful" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be more significant

Focuses on the importance or consequence of something, rather than its physical or tangible nature.

be more meaningful

Emphasizes the depth of meaning or value something holds.

be more impactful

Highlights the effect or influence something has.

be more considerable

Suggests a greater degree or amount.

be more pronounced

Indicates that something is more noticeable or distinct.

be more important

Stresses the necessity or value of something.

be more effective

Focuses on the ability to produce a desired result.

be more weighty

Implies greater importance or seriousness.

be more potent

Highlights the strength or effectiveness of something.

be more amplified

Emphasizes the increase in intensity or magnitude.

FAQs

How can I use "be more substantial" in a sentence?

You can use "be more substantial" to suggest that something needs to have greater importance, significance, or weight. For example, "The evidence needs to "be more substantial" to convince the jury."

What's a less formal alternative to "be more substantial"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "be more important", "be more significant", or "be more meaningful" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "be more substantial" and "be more substantive"?

"Be more substantial" generally refers to having greater weight, size, or importance. "Be more substantive" is similar, but it specifically emphasizes having more real content or value. While similar, "be more substantive" focuses more on the content itself.

Can "be more substantial" apply to both physical and abstract things?

Yes, "be more substantial" can be applied to both physical and abstract concepts. For instance, you might say a building needs to "be more substantial" (physical) or that an argument needs to "be more substantial" (abstract).